The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Gardens => Topic started by: hot house heroes on February 05, 2009, 08:45:31 pm

Title: nesting boxes
Post by: hot house heroes on February 05, 2009, 08:45:31 pm

hi there looking for some advice on bird boxes is it to late to put up a few nesting boxes in the garden  :&>

Title: Re: nesting boxes
Post by: doganjo on February 05, 2009, 08:47:56 pm

Don't be silly! what sensible bird wants to go out looking for nesting materials in weather like this! ???

Only joking!  I haven't put mine up yet.  It was well after April/May before mine were starting to be used because that's when I moved in here.

Title: Re: nesting boxes
Post by: Rosemary on February 06, 2009, 08:10:43 pm

Put them up - it will take the birds a wee while to get used to them anyway.

Smokey, my horse, is starting to drop his coat, so I'll be bringing it home as nesting material for the local spuggies. When Dan cleaned out the boxes in autumn they were full of horse hair!

Title: Re: nesting boxes
Post by: sabrina on February 07, 2009, 07:56:51 pm

We have some boxes but found out last year that Jacks the cat was climbing the trees to get to them so took them down.   :(

Title: Re: nesting boxes
Post by: doganjo on February 07, 2009, 10:25:57 pm

I had the same problem with Rio lifting the lid of the box.  I cured that with a heavy brick on top, then when they started to fly Candy got one.  I think the other three made it.  That's just cats I suppose, and although I love my cats, and they are useful on rats, I hate them taking little defenceless baby birds.

Title: Re: nesting boxes
Post by: pierre on February 11, 2009, 09:22:02 am

.... Hi ...

... never too late... get them up, try to position them to face south-west, and near to other trees or bushes...

.... Good luck ...

Pete
 :-*

Title: Re: nesting boxes
Post by: Pigtails on May 06, 2009, 07:47:14 pm

We made a dozen or so nesting boxes last summer, we placed them off the ground and in walls (stone dyke walls) as well as other areas.
Thus far, despite an unprecedented number of wild birds visiting there has been little or no interest in any box, just can't understand it.

Also, we put up bird tables and attempted to cater for every wild bird in the neighbourhood, again however, there has been no interest, not even in winter!!

Of course we have the opportunists like the seagull or the robin, the feral pidgeon is the only bird in a year who has bothered to come and feed!
 ??? ???

Title: Re: nesting boxes
Post by: pikilily on May 07, 2009, 07:44:36 am

we have a lovely woodpecker who comes to our bird table....I get such a thrill
Emma x